Articles tagged with Nutrition
A 5-country study found that the US has high salt levels in processed meat and fish products, ranking second globally. China leads with the highest salt content, while the UK ranks last. The study highlights significant variations in salt content among countries and brands.
Adding more fruit and veggie side dishes resulted in a 24% increase in veggies and 33% more fruit, while substituting produce for other foods led to a 41% boost in veggies and 38% more fruit. The study suggests ways parents and caregivers can encourage healthy eating by experimenting with different fruits and vegetables.
A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers reveals that fasting is essential for mice to derive full benefit from calorie restriction. Fasting alone improves insulin sensitivity and reprograms metabolism, reducing frailty in old age and extending lifespan.
A scientific team at Tufts University developed a new tool to guide consumers and policymakers towards healthier choices. The Food Compass system scores foods from 1 (least healthy) to 100 (most healthy), providing a nuanced approach to promoting healthy food choices.
A study in rats found that a diet of highly processed foods led to inflammation and behavioral signs of memory loss in the brain. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acid DHA prevented these effects almost entirely. The study suggests that limiting processed foods and increasing DHA consumption may help prevent rapid memory decline in old...
An 18-year study found a significant increase in ultra-processed food consumption among US adults, contributing to obesity and chronic diseases. The study recommends policies to reduce ultra-processed food intake, such as revised dietary guidelines and taxes.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that free food provided to US households at school and work is of poor nutritional quality. In contrast, food for families receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) appears to be of better nutritional value.
A new center will address individual, familial, societal and environmental factors contributing to health disparities in the Latino/a/x community. The center will support research projects and interventions aimed at reducing obesity and chronic disease risk in Latino/a/x families.
Researchers found that eating high-fibre whole grain rye products resulted in greater weight loss and body fat reduction compared to refined wheat alternatives. The study, involving 242 participants, suggests that rye's unique fibre content may contribute to its weight-loss benefits.
A study in Nature Communications finds that strong El Niño events can drive nearly 6 million children into undernutrition, affecting 70% or more of children globally. Proactive climate action could prevent this tragedy by providing targeted interventions to vulnerable areas.
Research from the University of Illinois found that high-oil corn has greater amino acid and energy digestibility than conventional corn, with increased phosphorus and fiber content. This could save producers money by reducing supplement needs.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have identified proteins PYE and ILR3 that help protect plants from damage during iron deficiency. These proteins enable the plant to optimize its light protection mechanisms, allowing it to continue photosynthesizing without suffering tissue damage.
A review of 25 studies on intermittent fasting found that all forms produced mild to moderate weight loss, similar to traditional calorie-restrictive diets. Intermittent fasting regimens also showed benefits in decreasing blood pressure and insulin resistance, and improving appetite regulation.
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology have identified the 'caramel receptor', which recognizes furaneol, a natural odorant found in fruits and coffee. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of molecular coding of food flavors.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming whole fat milk has no negative impact on children's health. The research, which involved 49 healthy children aged four to six, showed that both groups consumed similar amounts of calories and fat.
Researchers found that heritage-specific diets varied across Latinx groups, with Mexican and Puerto Rican diets being healthier. The study suggests that longer years living in the US may lead to less healthy dietary patterns among Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican groups.
A new study found that self-identified picky eaters in college students ate significantly less fiber and vegetables compared to non-picky eaters. This behavior was also linked to higher levels of social phobia, overall distress, and lower quality of life.
A new analysis of 134 studies found that color-coded nutrition labels and warnings encourage more healthful purchases. The study suggests that these labeling systems are beneficial in nudging consumers towards foods with lower levels of energy, sodium, fat, and saturated fat.
A new study suggests that a plant-based diet can improve vaccine efficacy and reduce COVID-related health issues. Studies have shown that healthcare workers with lower waist circumferences had better immune responses to the Pfizer vaccine.
A recent study found that eliminating enriched refined grain foods from the American diet results in lower nutrient levels, particularly for dietary fiber, iron, and magnesium. The removal of these grains also leads to a reduction in energy intake by approximately 10% in both age groups.
A small sachet of a fortified food-based supplement added to young children’s daily diets has shown remarkable results in preventing child mortality and malnutrition while promoting healthy development. The intervention resulted in lower prevalence of stunted growth, anemia, and adverse language and motor development outcomes.
A new study found that para-athletes have lower nutritional knowledge compared to university student athletes, with 40% needing help with meal procurement and cooking. This highlights the need for targeted nutrition support and education for para-athletes.
A new study suggests microgreens can be grown in small spaces indoors with minimal inputs, providing a reliable source of essential nutrients and antioxidants. Microgreens offer great potential as an efficient food-resilience resource for addressing malnutrition issues and nutrition-security inequality.
Research published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health found that higher combined fruit and veg intake is significantly associated with better mental health in secondary schoolchildren. A nutritious breakfast and lunch are also linked to emotional wellbeing across the age spectrum.
A new study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health found that eating well is associated with better mental wellbeing in children. Children who consumed five or more portions of fruit and veg a day had the highest scores for mental wellbeing.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened food insecurity, particularly among families with children, with nearly 18% of households reporting low or very low food security. NYU researchers are developing a technological solution to reduce food insecurity and waste, including a mobile app called Food2Share.
A recent study published in Nature found that a high-fat diet or genetic obesity can deplete hair follicle stem cells, leading to hair thinning and loss. The researchers discovered that inflammation signals block hair follicle regeneration, ultimately resulting in loss of hair follicles.
A Cleveland Clinic-led research team found that statistically overweight children who followed a healthy eating pattern significantly improved weight and reduced various cardiovascular disease risks. The study also showed improvements in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels.
A new study suggests that failing to meet sleep recommendations can lead to higher intake of non-meal calories, including carbohydrates, added sugar, fats, and caffeine. Adults who don't get enough sleep tend to make poorer snacking choices, such as reaching for salty snacks and sweets.
A systematic review of 80 health industry studies found that pressuring children to eat negatively influences fussy eating, while a more relaxed parenting style and family meals reduce the likelihood. Researchers recommend positive parenting and involving kids in meal preparation to help them overcome picky eating habits.
A study by the University of the Basque Country analyzed the nutritional profile and level of processing of food products sold in vending machines. The results show that 48.6% of the products were classified as low-quality, while 73.8% were ultra-processed.
A study by New York University researchers found that infant formula websites predominantly discourage breastfeeding and instead tout the benefits of formula feeding. The analysis of five major formula brands' websites revealed that substantial messaging focused on challenges associated with breastfeeding, such as low milk supply or la...
The energy balance model fails to explain the biological causes of weight gain, whereas the carbohydrate-insulin model identifies excessive consumption of rapidly digestible carbohydrates as a key contributor to obesity. This perspective argues for a shift in focus from calorie restriction to dietary pattern change.
A 12-week study showed that a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet managed by pharmacists can eliminate Type 2 diabetes medications and improve glucose control for over one-third of participants. This approach promotes Type 2 diabetes remission and highlights the potential role of community pharmacists in overall diabetes care.
A study of Finnish adults with overweight found that higher sleep-time parasympathetic activity is associated with healthier diets and lower alcohol consumption. Those with a good stress balance reported better diet quality, fibre intake, and self-control.
Top-performing diet and nutrition apps often track dietary intake, anthropometrics, and physical activity but lack behavior change features. A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that premium versions offered more features than free ones, but these did not significantly impact app ratings or user engagement.
A new study found that rearranging supermarket layouts to prioritize fruit and vegetables over candy leads to healthier food choices. The research, conducted in partnership with Iceland Foods Ltd, showed a decrease in confectionery sales and an increase in fruit and vegetable sales after the changes were made.
The study found that store-wide confectionery sales decreased and fruit and vegetable sales increased when unhealthy products were removed from checkouts and aisles, resulting in nearly 10,000 extra portions of fruit and vegetables being sold weekly.
A controlled trial found that consuming an avocado daily for 12 weeks reduced visceral abdominal fat and the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat in female participants. The benefits were primarily seen in females, with no impact on glucose tolerance or male participants.
A new analysis platform developed by Ohio State University scientists combines genetics and phytochemical data to improve the health benefits of apples. The platform has potential to reduce breeding time and enable data-driven assessments of how to boost apple nutrition.
A new NIH grant will fund research on how beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study aims to understand the interactions between mother's diet, breast milk, and infant needs, as well as the role of probiotics and maternal lifestyle.
A two-year randomized controlled trial found that eating about ½ cup of walnuts daily modestly lowered LDL-cholesterol levels and reduced small LDL particles in healthy, older adults. The study suggests that walnuts can improve cardiovascular health by improving the quality of LDL particles.
A University of California, Davis study found that consuming sucrose and high fructose corn syrup can increase liver fat and decrease insulin sensitivity, highlighting the need for consumers to read labels carefully. The study also found no significant differences between the effects of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.
A University of Kentucky study found that higher intake of specific nutrients is associated with lower brain iron concentration and better cognitive performance in older adults. The research team evaluated the relationship between nutritional intake, brain iron, and cognitive performance in a group of healthy, older adults.
A recent study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in mental health, with disruptions in beneficial microorganisms linked to depressive disorders. The researchers propose a multifaceted approach to manage depression through rebalancing and maintaining the gut microbiome using diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes.
Researchers at Osaka University have successfully created a 3D-bioprinted structured Wagyu beef-like meat alternative using stem cells isolated from Wagyu cows. The new technology mimics the complex texture of real Wagyu beef, allowing for customizable fat and muscle components in cultured meat.
A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme crucial for early endosperm development. The study showed that overexpressing CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm, opening up opportuni...
A novel approach to improve fitness for surgery, known as 'prehabilitation', has been shown to reduce cancer patients' hospital stay by 1.8 days compared to standard care. This study suggests that prehabilitation can benefit patient outcomes and potentially confer a survival advantage.
A University of Michigan study found that substituting 10% of daily caloric intake from beef and processed meats for fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and select seafood could reduce carbon footprint by one-third and gain 48 minutes of healthy life. The study developed an epidemiology-based nutritional index, the Health Nutritional Ind...
A study of 1800 Japanese citizens aged 65 found that low weight and insufficient exercise are significant risk factors for sarcopenia. Those with possible sarcopenia exhibited higher degrees of frailty despite normal Specific Health Checkup results, highlighting the need for a test to identify sarcopenia early on.
Researchers discovered that Neuropeptide F (NPF) in fruit flies controls sugar and fat metabolism through glucagon-like and insulin-like hormones. The study reveals similarities between insect and mammalian metabolic processes.
A comprehensive analysis of data on nearly two million adults found that high-glycemic foods are neither more nor less likely to lead to weight gain than low-glycemic foods. The study suggests that carbohydrate quality, rather than glycemic index, is a more important factor in determining body weight.
A new study found that ultraprocessed foods have become a major source of calories for children and teens, increasing from 61% to 67% between 1999 and 2018. This shift is concerning due to the negative health effects associated with these foods, such as obesity and diabetes.
A University of Delaware study found that diversifying nutritional strategies is key to improving diets for India's smallholder farmers. The researchers suggest individual-level and community-level approaches, such as growing diverse crops or sharing produce at local markets.
A comprehensive review of keto diets found potential health risks, including increased heart disease risk, cancer risk, and adverse effects on pregnant women and kidney patients. For most people, the possible long-term benefits of a keto diet are outweighed by its potential drawbacks.
Scientists propose integrated strategy combining climate action with policies for development, food access, equity, and environmental sustainability. The Sustainable Development Pathway aims to reconcile decent living with ecological boundaries.
The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior has announced the 2021 Best Article and GEM awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to nutrition education. The winners include Stacy Gleason et al. for their article on breastfeeding duration and Josephine Umoren et al. for their GEM on food pantries integrating nutrition programs.
A new study from the University of Sheffield reveals that vitamin D supplements do not reduce the severity of IBS symptoms or improve quality of life. Despite correcting deficiencies in those with poor vitamin D status, high-dose vitamin D supplementation did not alleviate symptoms.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that consuming millet as part of a daily diet can reduce blood glucose levels by 12-15% and help manage diabetes. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,000 human subjects across 11 countries, also found that millets have a lower glycemic index compared to other grains.
The study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to nutrition support for children in family child care settings, with a focus on rural-urban disparities. Researchers aim to understand the drivers of these inequities and inform policymaking in a post-pandemic world.